Sealing closure for high pressure vessels in microwave assisted chemistry

Abstract

A dynamic sealing structure for pressure vessels used in microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The structure includes a cylindrical vessel liner and a removable liner cap, each formed of a microwave transparent material. The liner has a circular mouth with a lip formed of respective first and second beveled edges, with the first beveled edge forming an interior edge of the circular mouth and the second beveled edge forming an exterior edge of the circular mouth. The cap includes respective interior and exterior faces, with a sleeve depending from the interior face and having a circumference that engages the interior surface of the vessel liner for being urged under pressure against the interior surface of the vessel liner. The interior face of the cap comprising a circular channel outward of the sleeve and having a circumference that engages the lip of the vessel liner, and with the channel comprising two beveled edges that respectively engage both beveled edges of the lip of the liner.

That which is claimed is:  
     
       1. A dynamic sealing structure for pressure vessels used in microwave assisted chemistry, and comprising: 
       a cylindrical vessel liner and a removable liner cap, each formed of a microwave transparent material;  
       said liner having a circular mouth with a lip formed of respective first and second beveled edges  
       said first beveled edge forming an interior edge of said circular mouth;  
       said second beveled edge forming an exterior edge of said circular mouth;  
       said cap comprising respective interior and exterior faces, with a sleeve depending from said interior face and having a circumference that engages the interior surface of said vessel liner for being urged under pressure against the interior surface of said vessel liner;  
       said interior face of said cap comprising a circular channel outward of said sleeve and having a circumference that engages said lip of said vessel liner;  
       said channel comprising two beveled edges that respectively engage both beveled edges of said lip of said liner; and  
       at least one of said bevels of said channel being oblique to the corresponding bevel of said lip.  
     
     
       2. A dynamic sealing structure according to claim  1  and further comprising: 
       a rectangular frame surrounding said vessel and said cap;  
       a bolt threaded into said frame coaxial with said vessel and against said cap for being adjustably tightened to bear against said vessel said cap;  
       a composite sleeve surrounding said vessel;  
       said frame, said bolt and said composite sleeve all being formed of materials that are transparent to microwave radiation and resistant to chemical attack.  
     
     
       3. A system for microwave assisted chemistry comprising: 
       a microwave source;  
       cavity in microwave communication with said source; and  
       a plurality of vessels according to claim  2  in said cavity for being exposed to microwaves generated by said source and propagated into said cavity.  
     
     
       4. A dynamic sealing structure according to claim  1  wherein said liner and cap are formed of a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
       5. A dynamic sealing system according to claim  2  wherein said frame and bolt are formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of: acrylolnitrile-butadiene-styrene resins, acrylic resins, nylon, PEEK resins, phenolformaldehyde resins, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, and urea formaldehyde resins. 
     
     
       6. A dynamic sealing system according to claim  2  wherein said composite sleeve comprises a plurality of adjacent layers of fabric and polymers.